Search Minerals Inc. (TSX.V: SMY) (OTC: SHCMF) announced it has commissioned SGS Canada Inc. to conduct a scoping study and metallurgical test work program for its Critical Rare Earth Element (CREE) district in southeastern Labrador. The initiative aims to optimize concentrate production and reduce acid demand, supporting future economic studies and project development for the company's DEEP FOX and FOXTROT projects.
The company also named Dr. David Dreisinger as a technical advisor to support metallurgical and process development efforts. Dr. Dreisinger, a professor at the University of British Columbia and a renowned expert in hydrometallurgy, brings extensive experience in rare earth processing, which is expected to strengthen Search Minerals' technical team as it advances its projects.
The scoping study and test work will focus on improving the efficiency of Search Minerals' patented Direct Extraction Process technology, which has been developed with support from the Department of Energy and Mines, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Atlantic Canada Opportunity Agency. The company has already completed two pilot plant operations, producing highly purified mixed rare earth carbonate concentrate and mixed REO concentrate for separation and refining.
Search Minerals controls a belt 64 km long and 2 km wide in the Port Hope Simpson – St. Lewis CREE District, which is road accessible, on tidewater, and near three local communities. The company has completed a preliminary economic assessment report with resource estimates for FOXTROT and DEEP FOX, and is working on four exploration prospects: FOX MEADOW, SILVER FOX, FOX RUN, and AWESOME FOX.
The engagement of SGS and appointment of Dr. Dreisinger mark significant steps in de-risking the projects and advancing toward production. The optimization of concentrate production and reduction of acid demand could lower operating costs and environmental impact, making the projects more economically viable. This is particularly important given the growing global demand for rare earth elements, which are critical for technologies such as electric vehicles, wind turbines, and defense systems.
For more information, the full press release is available at https://ibn.fm/zzFIS, and the latest news and updates on SHCMF can be found at https://ibn.fm/SHCMF.
